Group modification of affective verbalizations: Reinforcement and therapist style effects

Abstract

Used an operant group paradigm to investigate the effects of reinforcement in combination with differing therapist styles upon affective verbalizations. Therapists' usage of direct questioning to elicit Ss' affective verbalizations proved quantitatively superior (in number of reinforceable responses) to either a no therapist or role modelling therapist condition (N = 72). There was evidence, however, that Ss in reinforced role modelling conditions were significantly better than direct elicitation Ss in predicting other group members' self‐descriptions and in the degree to which Ss felt accurately perceived by others, while the reverse was true for non‐reinforced Ss.

Cohesion in group psychotherapy.

“…For one, the leader can set the tone of member-to-member interaction since members are more likely to model their behavior after the leader than after each other (Barlow, Hansen, Fuhriman, & Finley, 1982). Therapist modeling can increase member-to-member interactions, which, in turn, result in more accurate member perceptions (Fromme, Dickey, & Schaefer, 1983). Moreover, the leader can explicitly set norms and reinforce interactional patterns that can lead to increased member-member interactions.…”